MULTI award-winning and fringe festival favourite Patrick Monahan will be back on home turf with his new stand-up show #GOALS this spring.

With his trademark energetically witty and charming show, Patrick blends a high energy comedy style with hilarious and engaging topical and observational material.

We all have life goals, whether it’s to win the lottery or marry up, make it your goal to come and watch an hour of great comedy from an Irish-Iranian smoggy!

Funny and adorable, Patrick knows how to work a room and engage an audience with a skilled blend of ad lib banter and sharp stand-up.

Headlining gigs at top comedy clubs in London and around the UK, Patrick is also a firm favourite at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, performing at the Gilded Balloon.

With his ‘How to’ tutorials and ‘V’s videos on YouTube it is no surprise he is very much in demand appearing in far-flung hotspots including Dubai, Bahrain and Costa Rica! Patrick has appeared on TV screens on on ITV, BBC including ‘The One Show Edinburgh Festival’

MIDDLESBROUGH communities will be empowered to take control of their futures through an ambitious “social regeneration” programme.

The EMPOWER strategy was launched with an event for community groups, residents and stakeholders at Middlesbrough Town Hall, hosted by Cllr Mick Thompson, Middlesbrough Council's Executive Member for Culture and Communities.

During the event Cllr Thompson quizzed a panel made up of Zoe Lewis, from Middlesbrough College, Helena Bowman from the MFC Foundation and Michelle Dawson from Ageing Better Middlesbrough about how they work to improve residents' lives.

The EMPOWER scheme aims to bring Middlesbrough’s people closer to the opportunities currently being created through its city-scale growth and will also ask residents to help shape that regeneration and also how the authority’s services should be delivered.

The initiative includes a Community Action Fund in which individuals or groups can apply for funding of up to £5,000 to make their ideas to improve their community a reality.

The EMPOWER prospectus focuses on a number of key areas:

Improving community life

Improving health and wellbeing

Increasing educational attainment (including skills and vocational)

Increasing employment levels

Improving the physical environment

Strengthening our local economy

The aim is to accelerate long-term wealth generation, greater social mobility and improved health through effective interventions, complementing the city-scale physical improvements that are already taking place.

The public, private and voluntary sectors will work alongside communities to deliver initiatives that will directly local people and drive forward social and economic growth and regeneration.

The Council will establish and lead a city-wide Public Service Reform Board to spearhead the delivery of efficient and beneficial services across the public sector.

Cllr Thompson said: “Great things are happening across Middlesbrough at the moment, heralding a new era of prosperity and growth, but if we are truly to build for the future, these achievements must be underpinned by equally ambitious social regeneration.

“If we are to make the most of our role as the city powerhouse of the Tees Valley, we have to ensure our residents live longer, healthier lives, and have the education and skills to land the thousands of new jobs that are being created.

“We are on the threshold of a whole new era of opportunity, and it’s one we are determined to grasp with both hands – but to achieve that we need to work alongside local residents and communities.”

A new Public Service Reform Board will act as a focal point for community feedback, encouraging greater levels of collaboration between public sector bodies and empowering residents to become more independent and engaged.

Communities will be given a direct role in solutions that are relevant to them with funding opportunities available for local projects, alongside the sort of public services that will benefit them directly.

People in Middlesbrough are being encouraged to help shape the lives of the next generation by choosing a career in teaching, ahead of a recruitment event at the Jurys Inn Middlesbrough on Wednesday 6 March from 4:30 to 7:30pm.

The Train to Teach event, organised by the Get Into Teaching campaign from the Department for Education, is part of a series visiting cities and towns across the country this spring in support of a national recruitment drive.

Roger Pope, spokesperson for the Get Into Teaching campaign and a National Leader of Education, said:

"The teaching profession is a great way to make your degree, skills and knowledge really count.

"Knowing every lesson shapes a life is a wonderful feeling – as a teacher you're inspiring learning, helping children to stand on their own two feet and opening their eyes to what's possible.

"You'll start on a competitive salary too, have the opportunity to progress fast and can work anywhere you want to go, whether that is locally or further afield.

"There are no great schools without great teachers – that's why we're always looking for people with the passion and potential to teach. I would encourage anyone looking for a truly worthwhile career to come along to Train to Teach in Middlesbrough and find out where teaching could take you."

At the event, experienced teacher training advisors will be on hand to guide visitors through the training options and next steps. Representatives from schools and universities that provide teacher training will also be there with insights into how to make a strong application.

Information will be available about the financial support available – you could receive a £26,000 tax-free bursary to train as a teacher.

The free Train to Teach event is being held at the Jurys Inn Middlesbrough, Fry Street, Middlesbrough, TS1 1JH on Wednesday 6 March from 4.30 to 7.30pm.

Applications for teacher training starting this September are now open.

]]>domains@comitservices.co.uk (Jason)NewsTue, 05 Mar 2019 18:48:37 +0000Celebrate International Women’s Day at the Town Hallhttp://cvfm.org.uk/index.php/news/item/717-celebrate-international-women-s-day-at-the-town-hall
http://cvfm.org.uk/index.php/news/item/717-celebrate-international-women-s-day-at-the-town-hall

INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day will be marked with a special event at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Thursday, March 7.

The aim of the day is to celebrate the history and diversity of Middlesbrough through the accomplishments of women from across its diverse cultures and communities.

The event – in partnership with Middlesbrough Council’s Stronger Communities team – will take place in The Crypt on Thursday, March 7 from 9.30am to 2.40pm.

The event is aimed at women from all backgrounds and will involve a number of speakers as well as stalls promoting the support and services offered by the Council.

The theme for this year’s Day is Balance for Better which looks at how to improve women’s representation in all walks of life from politics to boardrooms and sport to statues.

An artist-led workshop will also provide an opportunity for those attending to create a unique piece of art.

Organiser Arooj Amjad said: “Our International Women’s Day event is a celebration of Middlesbrough’s history and diversity, and we look forward to welcoming women from all cultures and communities.

“We’ve got some truly inspirational speakers from our different communities, who will be sharing their experiences and accomplishments and how these can inspire the younger generation to achieve their goals.”

NOMINATIONS are being invited for Middlesbrough’s new community awards – entries close on Wednesday, March 13.

The Civic Community Awards will recognise those who make key contributions to Middlesbrough’s growth, regeneration and community spirit.

Building on the prestigious and long-running Citizen of the Year Award, new categories reflect the city-wide Social Regeneration agenda which puts citizens at the heart of future prosperity and success.

The community – along with partners from the public, private and voluntary sectors – have helped identify a number of key priorities including employment outcomes, health and wellbeing, education, community life and physical neighbourhoods.

Those who have made an outstanding contribution to life in Middlesbrough will be honoured in five main categories, with awards presented to individuals, community organisations and businesses:

Improving Employment Opportunities

Improving Health and Wellbeing

Helping People to Improve their Educational and Vocational Capability

Making People Happier

Making Physical Improvements to our Neighbourhoods

Judging panels in each category will comprise Middlesbrough Councillors and officers, representatives from Middlesbrough Voluntary Development Agency (MVDA) and the award sponsor.

The annual Citizen of the Year Award will go to an individual – an unsung hero or inspirational community leader – who has gone the extra mile to make a difference for others and improve the life of the town.

Middlesbrough Council Chief Executive Tony Parkinson said: “The Citizen of the Year Award is well established, and over the years has recognised some truly inspirational figures for their outstanding contribution to life in Middlesbrough.

“The new Civic Community Awards will build on that by involving and recognising those communities, businesses and extraordinary people whose tireless support for friends, neighbours and communities makes this such a great place to live.

“Their inspirational stories will help to generate new and positive perceptions of Middlesbrough and in turn foster aspiration and ambition across our communities.”

NEW cameras have been installed in a major boost to CCTV coverage in a key area of Middlesbrough.

The security measures mark the latest phase of the £1 million Lottery-funded Big Local project which has supported a raft of community initiatives in North Ormesby.

The new cameras are part of an ongoing drive to cut crime and increase public confidence.

Over the last two years more than 30 cameras - including two ‘talking’ cameras on the market place - have been installed in partnership with Middlesbrough Council, a total investment of more than £90,000.

The latest additions in the Westbourne Grove area were formally unveiled by members of the North Ormesby Neighbourhood Development Trust at the Community Hub.

Big Local Development Officer Karen O’Hara said: “Local residents told us loud and clear that they fully support the use of CCTV.

“The improvement and installation of the system will go a long away to ensuring they feel a lot safer in their community.”

The CCTV system is monitored around the clock from the Council’s central CCTV control room at Middlesbrough Bus Station, with Police and Council staff able to access footage.

North Ormesby ward member Councillor Lewis Young said: “CCTV has proven itself time and again as a powerful tool in the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour, and one which is embraced by all law-abiding residents.

“The cameras have a powerful deterrent effect, and will also assist the Police, Council and other agencies in ensuring those who break the law can be caught and prosecuted.

“This is a fantastic achievement by the Big Local project that will benefit the local community for many years to come.”

To find out more about the North Ormesby Neighbourhood Development Trust visit www.nondet.org.uk

MIDDLESBROUGH’S Grade A office development is already benefiting the local economy by more than £1m – before they have even been completed.

The Centre Square project, which will bring thousands of jobs to Middlesbrough’s city centre, is currently seeing the first two brand new office blocks being built. The scheme is being delivered by Ashall Projects.

Both buildings are on target and are expected to be complete by the end of the summer.

During construction, however, builders Bowmer and Kirkland have endeavoured to utilise local labour and the local supply chain.

Currently they have 27% of labour from within a five-mile radius and 57% from with a 20-mile radius.

The company have also reported that almost £1.15m has been spent directly within the local supply chain.

Cllr Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Council’s Deputy Mayor and Executive Member for City Centre Strategy, said: “We are absolutely delighted to see these figures from Bowmer and Kirkland.

“Whenever a major construction project like this takes place, we are often asked if we will be using local labour for the build.

“Due to the nature of the construction business that isn’t always possible, however it’s great to see that the majority of the labour is local.

"These new Grade A offices are one of the most important projects in Middlesbrough in memory and will bring thousands of jobs into our city centre.

“Those workers will then spend locally on leisure and retail which will in turn create more jobs.

“It is an economic circle to the top and when those Teessiders working on the offices walk through Middlesbrough’s city centre in five years’ time, they’ll be able to look around at a completely transformed city economy and say “we did this”.”

Mark Ashall, Director of Ashall Projects said: “It is really important to ensure we are facilitating construction spend at a local where possible. These numbers showcase exactly that which is brilliant.

“We remain on track with the development programme and look forward to seeing the first two buildings come to fruition.”

IN total 30 concerns about the welfare of people working in local car washes have been shared with police thanks to an innovative app.

The free ‘Safe Car Wash’ app allows people to quickly enter in details of a car wash and asks questions which may reveal those working there could be involved in modern slavery.

The information is made available to police who can respond to any issues where appropriate in order to safeguard and protect. The information may then inform part of ongoing investigations.

Latest figures from the app show that 13 people shared their observations about car washes in the Stockton area, 11 in the Middlesbrough area, three in Hartlepool and three in Redcar and Cleveland.

These observations do not necessarily mean crime is taking place but it does mean people are recognising the potential that modern slavery is happening in their area and are keen to take action against it.

Cleveland Police and Cleveland Anti-Slavery Network, which was established by Cleveland’s Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger, support and promote the free ‘Safe Car Wash’ app.

Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger said: “I’m delighted that people are using the Safe Car Wash app to provide invaluable intelligence to Cleveland Police about people who may be involved in modern slavery.

“This is just one example of the fantastic progress being made by Cleveland Anti-Slavery Network, which I commissioned last year to bring agencies across the area together to bring an end to this barbaric practice and to develop pathways for vulnerable victims.

“I would urge anyone who regularly visits a car wash to take a moment to consider the welfare of those working there and report any suspicious behaviour via the Safe Car Wash app.”

Cleveland Police’s Detective Inspector Chris Stone said: “This app is another tool to help us prevent the exploitation of the most vulnerable in our communities.

“Modern slavery is a hidden problem because too often people are unaware of what to watch out for or concerned about misreporting.

“The app gives us important intelligence to help in our investigations. Any information, no matter how small could help us safeguard someone and keep them from harm.”

Users of the app are prompted to answer questions which could reveal those working in the car wash are victims of modern slavery.

This includes prompts about workers’ behaviour and appearance, such as if they seem fearful. Members of the public are also asked if workers are wearing protective gloves and suitable clothing.

People are also asked to enter details about how the car wash is run. This includes if the manager seems controlling and if minors appear to be working there.

It’s important people use the app when they’re at the car wash so it can log the location and to make sure they enter the car wash name. Concerns can be raised anonymously.